Rivals set to play each other

Yet with both of Cardiff's rivals set to play each other, and Cardiff to travel to Hillsborough on the penultimate weekend, Slade will keep faith that four maximums from the final six games could be enough.

It's a big ask to drop points in just two outings over the next month, but the Bluebirds have managed it already this year.

The Bluebirds picked up three victories in a row early in the campaign, starting with the August 22 win over Wolves before an away success at Forest and a home triumph over Huddersfield.

And although they lost the next two – at home to Hull and, frustratingly, away to Rotherham, the subsequent home victory over Charlton ensured 12 points from six games.

Unbeaten run

Although they didn't win four, an unbeaten six-game run from the middle of January to late February also saw them pick up 12 points – wins coming at Wolves and Huddersfield and at home against Brighton while three draws with Rotherham, MK Dons and Charlton gave them the required tally.

And the run going into Tuesday night's tester at Burnley was also one of 12 points thanks to four wins over Preston, Bristol City, Ipswich and, last weekend, Derby, with a frustrating draw at Reading and undeserved home defeat to Leeds in between.

Slade himself admits the margin for error is now small and time is running out to make mistakes, but his own side have proven already this year they are capable of at least putting the pressure of those in the play-off spots at the moment.